Fabulousness: June 2010

Philippians 2:5-11 (NIRV)

"As you deal with one another, you should think and act as Jesus did.

In his very nature he was God. Jesus was equal with God. But Jesus didn’t take advantage of that fact. Instead, he made himself nothing. He did this by taking on the nature of a servant. He was made just like human beings. He appeared as a man. He was humble and obeyed God completely. He did this even though it led to his death. Even worse, he died on a cross!

So God lifted him up to the highest place. God gave him the name that is above every name. When the name of Jesus is spoken, everyone will kneel down to worship him. Everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will kneel down to worship him.Everyone’s mouth will say that Jesus Christ is Lord. And God the Father will receive the glory." Philippians 2:5-11 (NIRV)

Friday, June 11, 2010

Jesus’ Conversation with Nicodemus – Part 3, A Look at John 3:16

John 3:1-21

I have read John 3:16 a thousand times. I have memorized it. It is the standard verse that shows the way of salvation. It is so easy to be blasé about the verse because it is so familiar, but I have to remember how important it really is. It is because of verses like it that I can be confident in my salvation. However, John 3:16 must be looked at in light of the surrounding verses, especially the ones that follow it.

It is not just belief, but a willingness to walk into the light and let our evil be seen that is my salvation. I must live by the truth, come into the light, and let God’s great deed be seen through me. Yes we are saved through faith; yes, the only way is Jesus. However, we must acknowledge that it is God that saves. That it is God’s work through Jesus that has left us “not condemned” (v. 18). “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God" (v. 21). Anyone who believes and comes into the light is because it is God’s work being done, not our own. Our salvation is so that God may receive glory, that is what Jesus coming is about.